Mickey Finn - December 3, 1936 or 1942

Mickey Finn by Lank Leonard - (McNaught Syndicate) Daily, December 3, 1936 or 1942 (Platinum or Golden-Age)
Nice four-panel early example of the comic strip Mickey Finn by Frank E. "Lank" Leonard. The title character appears "full-figure" in the second panel. Mickey Finn debuted on Monday, April 6, 1936 and early examples of the strip typically do not reveal the year of publication. However, there are several tell-tale signs to date the strip in question. Mr. Leonard almost always indicated the day of the week in which the strip would see print (in pencil and normally in the upper right hand corner of the work). The "day of the week" on this particular example is clearly visible and reads... "Thursday December 3". Another indication of the age of this strip is it's overall size. Early Mickey Finn comic strips (mid-1940's and earlier) were rendered in a larger size. Also, Mickey is wearing a leather football helmet. An item that, in the sport of football, was standard equipment during the 1930's and early 1940's. Using this information, there are only two calendar years in which December the 3rd fell on a Thursday, and qualify as a possible year of publication.... 1936 and 1942. I believe the date of this strip to be December the 3rd, 1936. Originally part of the Charles Martignette collection sold through Heritage Art Auctions.